Rhaphiolepis DB-01 Cultivar Self-Pruning and Drought Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Rhaphiolepis indica cultivars require regular pruning and are not as drought-tolerant or cold-hardy as desired for landscape and container culture, with varying phenotypes under different environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

The cultivar 'DB-01' exhibits a compact, prostrate growth habit, minimal blooming, and superior shelf life, being drought-tolerant and hardy through zone 7B, without the need for pruning, with unique branching and flower characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If regular pruning is applied to existing Rhaphiolepis indica cultivars to maintain fullness, then the plant appearance is improved, but the maintenance complexity and time requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant fullnessVSAvoidpruning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cultivar 'DB-01' exhibits natural self-pruning behavior where old growth dies back and is replaced by new growth from the center, allowing the plant to maintain its full, compact form without human intervention. The plant serves its own maintenance needs through its inherent growth pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cultivar has been selected for specific growth parameters including a compact habit, prostrate form, and controlled branching pattern that naturally maintains fullness without requiring pruning intervention, representing a change in the plant's growth parameter profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing Rhaphiolepis indica cultivars are planted in drought-prone areas, then landscape adaptability is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandscape adaptabilityVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cultivar 'DB-01' has been selected for specific physiological parameters including enhanced drought tolerance and cold hardiness, allowing it to adapt to harsher environmental conditions with reduced water requirements compared to other cultivars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing Rhaphiolepis indica cultivars are planted in cold climates, then geographic range is improved, but survival rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeographic rangeVSAvoidsurvival rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cultivar has been selected for enhanced cold hardiness parameters, allowing it to survive in USDA zones 7B and colder, expanding the reliable geographic range where Rhaphiolepis can be successfully grown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If abundant blooming is encouraged in container culture, then ornamental value is improved, but susceptibility to fire blight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveornamental valueVSAvoidfire blight susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cultivar exhibits minimal blooming in container culture, which is sufficient for ornamental value while significantly reducing susceptibility to fire blight, representing a partial action approach where less blooming provides adequate aesthetic value without the harmful consequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUSPP32786P2<i>Rhaphiolepis </i>plant named ‘DB-01’

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 PLANT DEVMENT SERVICES

AI summary

A new and distinctive Rhaphiolepis indica plant, characterized by its compact, mounding form, unique branching structure, and white flowers flushed with pink at first opening. Plants grow wider than tall, are drought tolerant, and do not require pruning. Cold tolerance has been observed to USDA Zone 7B. In container culture, plants are observed to have a superior shelf-life. The new plant is a Rhaphiolepis, typically useful as a landscape plant.